You're right about the wires being backwards. I explained this little problem in my write-up on the Alpine Install here: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f133/wiring-harness-alpine-install-pics-33752/ok cool. I got another HU that I'm going to plug in tonight. I figured out that the switched power and the constant power wires were backwards even though the colors were matching, it was way the lotus/blaupunkt harness was different then the alpine to 01 passat harness.
My question now is, if your car is off and the keys are not in it can you still turn on the radio? with my old blaupunkt I could, with this one I cant, the key has to be turned to the first accessory point.